The biological membranes that surround a cell and its organelles are vital to the overall function of the cell. Fatty acids are the main structural component of membranes, and the presence of specific fatty acids can alter a membrane's characteristics, which subsequently alters function. Two fatty acids that are of particular interest to researchers are eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA). These omega-3 fatty acids have unique unsaturated structures, and their incorporation into biological membranes appear to elicit potent physiological effects. The body is unable to intrinsically synthesize these important fatty acids, so they must be obtained from the diet or through supplementation.